Despite already attempting to clarify himself once before (without much luck, it would seem), in a sitdown with the Today show airing Thursday, the Moneyball star again attempted to clear up the controversy that resulted after some reading comprehension-challenged factions thought (or maybe just hoped) he was calling ex-wife Jennifer Aniston dull.

So, after his second media strike, he stepped up to the plate with Matt Lauer. What did he have to say this time?

Well, first of all, he had no comment on the crazy response—though that's probably because he mostly oblivious to it.

"I haven't really seen the reaction," he said. "I've been told about the reaction.

"I...I don't know what was pieced together or put together. All I know is that my point was, the best thing I'd done as a father is be sure that my kids have a good mother. That's all I was, or am, trying to say. It has no reference to the past.

"And I think it's a shame that I can't say something nice about Angie without Jen being drug in. You know, she doesn't deserve it."

That goes for them both. And not only do they not deserve it, according to Brad, they have absolutely no interest in having their personal life serve as public fodder (though that hasn't stopped it from serving as exactly that for the better part of the past decade).

"I don't wanna be encumbered by any of that. I know my intentions, and I know what I believe, and I know things get misconstrued, and I know there's a good cycle and a good story to say we're splitting up. And then when we don't, they say we've come together again. It's a new cycle, and then there's a secret wedding. 'No, that was put on hold because they're upset.' It's, you know, that's—I live outside of that, and it's much healthier."

As for why, then, he decided to release a subsequent statement clarifying his comments to Parade? Well, it wasn't because of any reported phone call placed by Jen to her ex, despite rumors to the contrary.

"No. No. But she's also a seasoned veteran and she knows. You know, and she's a valuable person. We spent seven years together. Come on."

And while their marriage didn't work out, their friendship apparently has.

"I don't want them to say anything bad like that about Jen," he said. "She's a dear friend of mine."